Classifications

• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
  • C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
  • C02F1/00—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage
  • C02F1/28—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage by sorption
  • C02F1/281—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage by sorption using inorganic sorbents
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01J—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS
  • B01J20/00—Solid sorbent compositions or filter aid compositions; Sorbents for chromatography; Processes for preparing, regenerating or reactivating thereof
  • B01J20/02—Solid sorbent compositions or filter aid compositions; Sorbents for chromatography; Processes for preparing, regenerating or reactivating thereof comprising inorganic material
  • B01J20/0203—Solid sorbent compositions or filter aid compositions; Sorbents for chromatography; Processes for preparing, regenerating or reactivating thereof comprising inorganic material comprising compounds of metals not provided for in B01J20/04
  • B01J20/0207—Compounds of Sc, Y or Lanthanides
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01J—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS
  • B01J20/00—Solid sorbent compositions or filter aid compositions; Sorbents for chromatography; Processes for preparing, regenerating or reactivating thereof
  • B01J20/02—Solid sorbent compositions or filter aid compositions; Sorbents for chromatography; Processes for preparing, regenerating or reactivating thereof comprising inorganic material
  • B01J20/06—Solid sorbent compositions or filter aid compositions; Sorbents for chromatography; Processes for preparing, regenerating or reactivating thereof comprising inorganic material comprising oxides or hydroxides of metals not provided for in group B01J20/04
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01J—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS
  • B01J20/00—Solid sorbent compositions or filter aid compositions; Sorbents for chromatography; Processes for preparing, regenerating or reactivating thereof
  • B01J20/28—Solid sorbent compositions or filter aid compositions; Sorbents for chromatography; Processes for preparing, regenerating or reactivating thereof characterised by their form or physical properties
  • B01J20/28002—Solid sorbent compositions or filter aid compositions; Sorbents for chromatography; Processes for preparing, regenerating or reactivating thereof characterised by their form or physical properties characterised by their physical properties
  • B01J20/28004—Sorbent size or size distribution, e.g. particle size
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01J—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS
  • B01J20/00—Solid sorbent compositions or filter aid compositions; Sorbents for chromatography; Processes for preparing, regenerating or reactivating thereof
  • B01J20/28—Solid sorbent compositions or filter aid compositions; Sorbents for chromatography; Processes for preparing, regenerating or reactivating thereof characterised by their form or physical properties
  • B01J20/28002—Solid sorbent compositions or filter aid compositions; Sorbents for chromatography; Processes for preparing, regenerating or reactivating thereof characterised by their form or physical properties characterised by their physical properties
  • B01J20/28004—Sorbent size or size distribution, e.g. particle size
  • B01J20/28007—Sorbent size or size distribution, e.g. particle size with size in the range 1-100 nanometers, e.g. nanosized particles, nanofibers, nanotubes, nanowires or the like
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01J—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS
  • B01J20/00—Solid sorbent compositions or filter aid compositions; Sorbents for chromatography; Processes for preparing, regenerating or reactivating thereof
  • B01J20/28—Solid sorbent compositions or filter aid compositions; Sorbents for chromatography; Processes for preparing, regenerating or reactivating thereof characterised by their form or physical properties
  • B01J20/28014—Solid sorbent compositions or filter aid compositions; Sorbents for chromatography; Processes for preparing, regenerating or reactivating thereof characterised by their form or physical properties characterised by their form
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01J—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS
  • B01J20/00—Solid sorbent compositions or filter aid compositions; Sorbents for chromatography; Processes for preparing, regenerating or reactivating thereof
  • B01J20/28—Solid sorbent compositions or filter aid compositions; Sorbents for chromatography; Processes for preparing, regenerating or reactivating thereof characterised by their form or physical properties
  • B01J20/28014—Solid sorbent compositions or filter aid compositions; Sorbents for chromatography; Processes for preparing, regenerating or reactivating thereof characterised by their form or physical properties characterised by their form
  • B01J20/28016—Particle form
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01J—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS
  • B01J20/00—Solid sorbent compositions or filter aid compositions; Sorbents for chromatography; Processes for preparing, regenerating or reactivating thereof
  • B01J20/28—Solid sorbent compositions or filter aid compositions; Sorbents for chromatography; Processes for preparing, regenerating or reactivating thereof characterised by their form or physical properties
  • B01J20/28014—Solid sorbent compositions or filter aid compositions; Sorbents for chromatography; Processes for preparing, regenerating or reactivating thereof characterised by their form or physical properties characterised by their form
  • B01J20/2803—Sorbents comprising a binder, e.g. for forming aggregated, agglomerated or granulated products
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01J—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS
  • B01J20/00—Solid sorbent compositions or filter aid compositions; Sorbents for chromatography; Processes for preparing, regenerating or reactivating thereof
  • B01J20/28—Solid sorbent compositions or filter aid compositions; Sorbents for chromatography; Processes for preparing, regenerating or reactivating thereof characterised by their form or physical properties
  • B01J20/28014—Solid sorbent compositions or filter aid compositions; Sorbents for chromatography; Processes for preparing, regenerating or reactivating thereof characterised by their form or physical properties characterised by their form
  • B01J20/28033—Membrane, sheet, cloth, pad, lamellar or mat
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01J—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS
  • B01J20/00—Solid sorbent compositions or filter aid compositions; Sorbents for chromatography; Processes for preparing, regenerating or reactivating thereof
  • B01J20/28—Solid sorbent compositions or filter aid compositions; Sorbents for chromatography; Processes for preparing, regenerating or reactivating thereof characterised by their form or physical properties
  • B01J20/28014—Solid sorbent compositions or filter aid compositions; Sorbents for chromatography; Processes for preparing, regenerating or reactivating thereof characterised by their form or physical properties characterised by their form
  • B01J20/28042—Shaped bodies; Monolithic structures
  • B01J20/28045—Honeycomb or cellular structures; Solid foams or sponges
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01J—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS
  • B01J20/00—Solid sorbent compositions or filter aid compositions; Sorbents for chromatography; Processes for preparing, regenerating or reactivating thereof
  • B01J20/28—Solid sorbent compositions or filter aid compositions; Sorbents for chromatography; Processes for preparing, regenerating or reactivating thereof characterised by their form or physical properties
  • B01J20/28054—Solid sorbent compositions or filter aid compositions; Sorbents for chromatography; Processes for preparing, regenerating or reactivating thereof characterised by their form or physical properties characterised by their surface properties or porosity
  • B01J20/28057—Surface area, e.g. B.E.T specific surface area
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01J—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS
  • B01J20/00—Solid sorbent compositions or filter aid compositions; Sorbents for chromatography; Processes for preparing, regenerating or reactivating thereof
  • B01J20/30—Processes for preparing, regenerating, or reactivating
  • B01J20/3028—Granulating, agglomerating or aggregating
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01J—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS
  • B01J20/00—Solid sorbent compositions or filter aid compositions; Sorbents for chromatography; Processes for preparing, regenerating or reactivating thereof
  • B01J20/30—Processes for preparing, regenerating, or reactivating
  • B01J20/3042—Use of binding agents; addition of materials ameliorating the mechanical properties of the produced sorbent
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01J—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS
  • B01J20/00—Solid sorbent compositions or filter aid compositions; Sorbents for chromatography; Processes for preparing, regenerating or reactivating thereof
  • B01J20/30—Processes for preparing, regenerating, or reactivating
  • B01J20/32—Impregnating or coating ; Solid sorbent compositions obtained from processes involving impregnating or coating
  • B01J20/3202—Impregnating or coating ; Solid sorbent compositions obtained from processes involving impregnating or coating characterised by the carrier, support or substrate used for impregnation or coating
  • B01J20/3204—Inorganic carriers, supports or substrates
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01J—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS
  • B01J20/00—Solid sorbent compositions or filter aid compositions; Sorbents for chromatography; Processes for preparing, regenerating or reactivating thereof
  • B01J20/30—Processes for preparing, regenerating, or reactivating
  • B01J20/32—Impregnating or coating ; Solid sorbent compositions obtained from processes involving impregnating or coating
  • B01J20/3202—Impregnating or coating ; Solid sorbent compositions obtained from processes involving impregnating or coating characterised by the carrier, support or substrate used for impregnation or coating
  • B01J20/3206—Organic carriers, supports or substrates
  • B01J20/3208—Polymeric carriers, supports or substrates
  • B01J20/3212—Polymeric carriers, supports or substrates consisting of a polymer obtained by reactions otherwise than involving only carbon to carbon unsaturated bonds
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01J—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS
  • B01J20/00—Solid sorbent compositions or filter aid compositions; Sorbents for chromatography; Processes for preparing, regenerating or reactivating thereof
  • B01J20/30—Processes for preparing, regenerating, or reactivating
  • B01J20/32—Impregnating or coating ; Solid sorbent compositions obtained from processes involving impregnating or coating
  • B01J20/3231—Impregnating or coating ; Solid sorbent compositions obtained from processes involving impregnating or coating characterised by the coating or impregnating layer
  • B01J20/3234—Inorganic material layers
  • B01J20/3236—Inorganic material layers containing metal, other than zeolites, e.g. oxides, hydroxides, sulphides or salts
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01J—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS
  • B01J20/00—Solid sorbent compositions or filter aid compositions; Sorbents for chromatography; Processes for preparing, regenerating or reactivating thereof
  • B01J20/30—Processes for preparing, regenerating, or reactivating
  • B01J20/34—Regenerating or reactivating
  • B01J20/3433—Regenerating or reactivating of sorbents or filter aids other than those covered by B01J20/3408 - B01J20/3425
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01J—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS
  • B01J20/00—Solid sorbent compositions or filter aid compositions; Sorbents for chromatography; Processes for preparing, regenerating or reactivating thereof
  • B01J20/30—Processes for preparing, regenerating, or reactivating
  • B01J20/34—Regenerating or reactivating
  • B01J20/3441—Regeneration or reactivation by electric current, ultrasound or irradiation, e.g. electromagnetic radiation such as X-rays, UV, light, microwaves
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01J—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS
  • B01J20/00—Solid sorbent compositions or filter aid compositions; Sorbents for chromatography; Processes for preparing, regenerating or reactivating thereof
  • B01J20/30—Processes for preparing, regenerating, or reactivating
  • B01J20/34—Regenerating or reactivating
  • B01J20/345—Regenerating or reactivating using a particular desorbing compound or mixture
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01J—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS
  • B01J20/00—Solid sorbent compositions or filter aid compositions; Sorbents for chromatography; Processes for preparing, regenerating or reactivating thereof
  • B01J20/30—Processes for preparing, regenerating, or reactivating
  • B01J20/34—Regenerating or reactivating
  • B01J20/3483—Regenerating or reactivating by thermal treatment not covered by groups B01J20/3441 - B01J20/3475, e.g. by heating or cooling
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B82—NANOTECHNOLOGY
  • B82Y—SPECIFIC USES OR APPLICATIONS OF NANOSTRUCTURES; MEASUREMENT OR ANALYSIS OF NANOSTRUCTURES; MANUFACTURE OR TREATMENT OF NANOSTRUCTURES
  • B82Y30/00—Nanotechnology for materials or surface science, e.g. nanocomposites
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01J—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS
  • B01J2220/00—Aspects relating to sorbent materials
  • B01J2220/40—Aspects relating to the composition of sorbent or filter aid materials
  • B01J2220/48—Sorbents characterised by the starting material used for their preparation
  • B01J2220/4812—Sorbents characterised by the starting material used for their preparation the starting material being of organic character
  • B01J2220/4825—Polysaccharides or cellulose materials, e.g. starch, chitin, sawdust, wood, straw, cotton
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01J—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS
  • B01J2220/00—Aspects relating to sorbent materials
  • B01J2220/50—Aspects relating to the use of sorbent or filter aid materials
  • B01J2220/58—Use in a single column
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01J—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS
  • B01J2220/00—Aspects relating to sorbent materials
  • B01J2220/50—Aspects relating to the use of sorbent or filter aid materials
  • B01J2220/66—Other type of housings or containers not covered by B01J2220/58 - B01J2220/64
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
  • C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
  • C02F2209/00—Controlling or monitoring parameters in water treatment
  • C02F2209/40—Liquid flow rate
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
  • C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
  • C02F2303/00—Specific treatment goals
  • C02F2303/04—Disinfection
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
  • C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
  • C02F2303/00—Specific treatment goals
  • C02F2303/16—Regeneration of sorbents, filters

Definitions

• the invention relates generally to the field of fluid and solution treatment, and primarily to processes and apparatuses for treating aqueous solutions.
• the invention relates to processes, apparatuses and articles useful for removing or deactivating bacteria and viruses in aqueous solutions.
• Known methods for purifying aqueous solutions include reverse osmosis, distillation, ion-exchange, chemical adsorption, coagulation, flocculation, and filtering or retention. In some applications a combination of techniques is required in order to purify such solutions. Examples of this practice include the use of mixed ion-exchange resins that remove both negative and positively charged chemical species and oxidation/filtration methods where oxidizers are used to generate particulate matter that may be subsequently filtered. These purification practices can be costly, energy inefficient and require significant technical know-how and sophistication to implement on both large and small scales. As a result, many advanced fluid purification technologies have had limited application beyond municipal or industrial applications.
• Some contaminants can be filtered through the use of membranes or layers of granular materials.
• biological contaminants such as bacteria and fungi can be removed from fluids through ultrafiltration, but viruses are generally top small for filtration to be an effective means of purification. Because filtration is only effective at removing some biological contaminants, treatment with chemical additives tends to be the method of choice for purifying aqueous solutions containing diverse biological contaminants.
• chemical additives include oxidizing agents, flocculating agents, and precipitation agents.
• biological contaminants such as bacteria, viruses and fungi have typically been removed from solution or deactivated by the action of strong oxidizing agents such as chlorine, hydrogen peroxide, ozone or quaternary amine salts.
• chemical additive(s) can be costly and require special handling, transport, and storage, rendering them less desirable for many applications.
• chemical treatment methods require careful administration and monitoring of the treated solutions. For example, where the application is a potable water system, chemical tablets or liquids are being added to water that will ultimately be consumed. In administering such chemicals, one must insure that appropriate conditions exist for the chemicals to thoroughly treat the water. Mistakes such as adding too much or too little of a chemical agent can lead to the failure to adequately treat the biological contaminants or result in unnecessary exposure to corrosive chemicals.
• the invention provides a process for treating an aqueous solution containing a biological contaminant.
• the process includes contacting an aqueous solution containing biological contaminants with an aggregate composition comprising an insoluble rare earth-containing compound to form a solution depleted of active biological contaminants.
• the aqueous solution can contact the aggregate composition by one or more of flowing the aqueous solution through the aggregate composition, distributing the aggregate composition over the surface of the aqueous solution, and submerging a fluid permeable container enclosing the aggregate composition into the aqueous solution.
• the aggregate composition can be disposed in a container and the aqueous solution can flow through the composition under the influence of one or more of gravity or pressure.
• the composition can be disposed in one or more of a fixed bed, fluidized bed, stirred tank and filter.
• the composition can also be disposed in a removable container and the process can include the step of intermittently replacing the removable container.
• the aqueous solution contacts the composition at a temperature above the triple point for the aqueous solution. In some cases, the aqueous solution contacts the composition at a temperature less than about 100° C., and in other cases at a temperature less man about 80° C. In other cases, the aqueous solution contacts the composition at a temperature above about 100° C., at a pressure sufficient to maintain at least a portion of the aqueous solution in a liquid phase.
• the process can optionally include one or more of the steps of separating the aqueous, solution depleted of active biological contaminants from the aggregate composition, sensing the aqueous solution depleted of active biological contaminants, evaporating residual aqueous solution from the aggregate composition, intermittently replacing the aggregate composition, and sterilizing the aggregate composition after contacting the aqueous solution with the aggregate composition.
• Sterilizing the composition can be achieved by treating the aggregate composition with one or more of heat, radiation and a chemical agent. If the aqueous solution is to be treated with air, oxygen-enriched air, ozone or hydrogen peroxide for the purpose of oxidizing fungi and viruses that may be present in the solution, the solution is to be contacted with the aggregate composition prior to any such treatment.
• the insoluble rare earth-containing compound can include one or more of cerium, lanthanum, or praseodymium amongst other rare earth-containing compounds.
• the cerium-containing compound can be derived from one or more of thermal decomposition of a cerium carbonate, decomposition of a cerium oxalate and precipitation of a cerium salt.
• the insoluble rare earth-containing compound can include a cerium oxide, and in some cases, the aggregate composition can consists essentially of one or more cerium oxides, and optionally, one or more of a binder and flow aid.
• the aggregate composition will include more than 10.01% by weight of the insoluble rare earth-containing compound and can include more than 95% by weight of the insoluble rare earth-containing compound.
• the insoluble rare earth-containing compound can comprise particulates having a mean surface area of at least about 1 m 2 /g. When the insoluble rare earth-containing compound is in the form of a particulate, the particulate can have a mean particle size of at least about 1 nm.
• the aggregate composition can comprise aggregated particulates having a mean aggregate size of at least about 1 ⁇ m. When the aggregate composition has been sintered; it will include no more than two elements selected from the group consisting of yttrium, scandium, and europium.
• the invention provides an apparatus for treating an aqueous solution containing a biological contaminant.
• the apparatus includes a container having a fluid flow path for an aqueous solution and an aggregate composition disposed in the fluid flow path.
• the container can include one or more of a fixed bed, a fluidized bed or stirred tank and filter.
• the container is adapted to be removed from the apparatus, such a container having an inlet and an outlet with each of the inlet and the outlet adapted to be sealed when removed from the apparatus.
• the container includes a fluid permeable outer wall encapsulating the aggregate composition.
• the apparatus can include a filter disposed in the fluid flow path downstream of the aggregate composition.
• the apparatus can optionally include one or more of a visual indicator for indicating when the aggregate composition should be replaced, a sensor for sensing an effluent flowing out of the container, and means for sterilizing the aggregate composition.
• Means for sterilizing the composition can include one or more of means for heating the aggregate composition, means for irradiating the aggregate composition and means for introducing a chemical agent into the fluid flow path.
• the aggregate composition comprises an insoluble rare earth-containing compound for removing or deactivating biological contaminants in an aqueous solution.
• the aggregate composition will include more than 10.01% by weight of the insoluble rare earth-containing compound.
• the insoluble rare earth-containing compound can include one or more of cerium, lanthanum, or praseodymium amongst other rare earth-containing compounds.
• the cerium-containing compound can be derived from one or more of thermal decomposition of a cerium carbonate, decomposition of a cerium oxalate and precipitation of a cerium salt.
• the rare earth-containing compound can include a cerium oxide, and in some cases, the aggregate composition can consist essentially of one or more cerium oxides, and optionally, one or more of a binder and flow aid.
• the insoluble rare earth-containing compound is in the form of a particulate, the particulate can have a mean particle size of at least about 1 nm.
• the insoluble rare earth-containing compound can comprise particulates having a mean surface area of at least about 1 m 2 /g.
• the aggregate composition can include aggregated particulates having a mean aggregate size of at least about 1 ⁇ m.
• the aggregate composition When the aggregate composition has been sintered, it will include no more than two elements selected from the group consisting of yttrium, scandium, and europium.
• the invention provides an article comprising a container having one or more walls defining an interior space and a flowable aggregate composition disposed in the inferior space.
• the container bears instructions for use of the aggregate composition to treat an aqueous solution containing a biological contaminant.
• the aggregate composition will include more than 10.01% by weight of the insoluble rare earth-containing compound.
• the insoluble rare earth-containing compound can include one or more of cerium, lanthanum, or praseodymium amongst other rare earth-containing compounds.
• the cerium-containing compound can be derived from one or more of thermal decomposition of a cerium carbonate, decomposition of a cerium oxalate and precipitation of a cerium salt.
• the insoluble rare earth-containing compound can include a cerium oxide, and in some cases, the aggregate composition can consist essentially of one or more cerium oxides, and optionally, one or more of a binder and flow aid.
• the particulate can have a mean particle size of at least about 1 nm.
• the insoluble rare earth-containing compound can comprise particulates having a mean surface area of at least about 1 m 2 /g.
• the aggregate composition can comprise aggregated particulates having a mean aggregate size of at least about 1 ⁇ m.
• the aggregate When the aggregate has been sintered, it will include no more than two elements selected from the group consisting of yttrium, scandium, and europium.
• one or more of” and “at least one of” when used to preface several elements or classes of elements such as X, Y and Z or X 1 -X n , Y 1 -Y n and Z 1 -Z n is intended to refer to a single element selected from X or Y or Z, a combination of elements selected from the same class (such as X 1 and X 2 ), as well as a combination of elements selected from two or more classes (such as Y 1 and Z n ).
• a process, apparatus or article as described herein can be used to treat an aqueous solution containing a biological contaminant, and in particular, to remove or deactivate a biological contaminant such as bacteria and/or viruses that may be found in such solutions.
• solutions that can be effectively treated include solutions in potable water systems, in waste water treatment systems, and feed, process or waste streams in various industrial processes among others.
• the described processes, apparatuses and articles can be used to remove bio logical contaminants from solutions having diverse volume and flow rate characteristics and can be applied in variety of fixed, mobile and portable applications. While portions of the disclosure herein describe the removal of biological contaminants from water, and in particular from potable water streams, such references are illustrative and are not to be construed as limiting.
• the terminology “remove” or “removing” includes the sorption, precipitation, conversion or killing of pathogenic and other microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses, fungi and protozoa that may be present in aqueous solutions.
• the term “deactivate” or “deactivation” includes rendering a microorganism non-pathogenic to humans or other animals such as for example by killing the microorganism.
• the described processes, apparatuses and articles are intended to remove or deactivate biological contaminants such that the treated solutions meet or exceed standards for water purity established by various organizations and/or agencies including, for example, the American Organization of Analytical Chemists (AOAC), the World Health Organization, and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
• AOAC American Organization of Analytical Chemists
• EPA United States Environmental Protection Agency
• water treated by the described processes and apparatuses can meet such standards without the addition of further disinfecting agents, e.g., chlorine or bromine.
• microbe include bacteria, fungi, protozoa, viruses, algae and other biological entities and pathogenic species that can be found in aqueous solutions.
• biological contaminants can include bacteria such as Escherichia coli, Streptococcus faecalis, Shigella spp, Leptospira, Legimella pneumophila, Yersinia enterocolitica, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella terrigena, Bacillus anthracis, Vibrio cholrae, Salmonella typhi , viruses such as hepatitis A, noroviruses, rotaviruses, and enteroviruses, protozoa such as Entamoeba histolytica, Giardia, Cryptosporidium parvum , and others.
• Biological contaminants can also include various species such as fungi or algae, which although generally non-pathogenic in nature, are advantageously removed to improve the aesthetic properties of water. How such biological contaminants came to be present in the aqueous solution, either through natural occurrence or through intentional or unintentional contamination, is non-limiting of the invention.
• a process for treating an aqueous solution containing a biological contaminant.
• the process includes contacting an aqueous solution containing a biological contaminant with an aggregate composition that comprises an insoluble rare earth-containing compound.
• insoluble is intended to refer to materials that are insoluble in water, or at most, are sparingly soluble in water under standard conditions of temperature and pressure.
• Contact by and between the aqueous solution and the aggregate composition removes and/or deactivates the biological contaminant to yield a solution depleted of active biological contaminants.
• the aggregate composition comprises more than 10.01% by weight of the insoluble rare earth-containing compound.
• the amount of insoluble rare earth-containing compound can constitute more than about 11%, more than about 12% or more than about 15% by weight of the aggregate composition. In some cases a higher concentrations of rare earth compounds may be desirable.
• the composition can constitute at least about 20%, in other cases at least about 50%, in still others at least about 75%, and in yet still others more than 95%, by weight of an insoluble rare earth-containing compound.
• the insoluble rare earth-containing compound can include one or more of the rear earths including lanthanum, cerium, praseodymium, neodymium, promethium, samarium, europium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, holmium erbium, thulium, ytterbium and lutetium.
• the insoluble rare-earth containing compound can comprise one or more of cerium, lanthanum, or praseodymium.
• Insoluble rare earth-containing compounds are available commercially and may be obtained from any source or through any process known to those skilled in the art.
• the aggregate composition need not include a single rare earth-containing compound but can include two or more insoluble rare earth-containing compounds.
• Such compounds can contain the same or different rare earth dements and can contain mixed valence or oxidation states.
• the aggregate composition can comprise one or more cerium oxides such as CeO 2 (IV) and Ce 2 O 3 (III).
• the cerium-containing compound can be derived from precipitation of a cerium salt.
• an insoluble cerium-containing compound can be derived from a cerium carbonate or a cerium oxalate. More specifically, an insoluble cerium-containing compound can be prepared by thermally decomposing a cerium carbonate or oxalate at a temperature between about 250° C. and about 350° C. in a furnace in the presence of air. The temperature and pressure conditions may be altered depending on the composition of the cerium-containing starting materials and the desired physical properties of the insoluble rare earth-containing compound.
• the thermal decomposition of cerium carbonate may be summarized as:
• the product may be acid treated and washed to remove remaining carbonate.
• Thermal decomposition processes for producing cerium oxides having various features are described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,897,675 (specific surface areas), U.S. Pat. No. 5,994,260 (pores with uniform lamellar structure), U.S. Pat. No. 6,706,082 (specific particle size distribution), and U.S. Pat. No. 6,887,566 (spherical particles), and such descriptions are incorporated herein by reference.
• Cerium carbonate and materials containing cerium carbonate are commercially available and may be obtained from any source known to those skilled in the art.
• the insoluble rare earth-containing compound comprises a cerium-containing compound
• the insoluble cerium-containing compound can include a cerium oxide such as CeO 2 .
• the aggregate composition can consists essentially of one or more cerium oxides, and optionally, one or more of a binder and flow aid.
• the insoluble rare earth-containing compound can be present in the aggregate composition in the form of one or more of a granule, crystal, crystallite, particle or other particulate, referred to generally herein as a “particulate.”
• the particulates of the insoluble rare earth-containing compounds can have a mean particle size of at least about 0.5 nm ranging up to about 1 ⁇ m or more. Specifically, such particulates can have a mean particle size of at least about 0.5 nm, in some cases greater than about 1 nm, in other cases, at least about 5 nm, and still other cases at least about 10 nm, and in yet still other cases at least about 25 nm. In other embodiments, the particulates can have mean particle sizes of at least about 100 nm, specifically at least about 250 nm, more specifically at least about 500 nm, and still more specifically at least about 1 ⁇ m.
• the aggregate composition can comprise aggregated particulates of the insoluble rare earth-containing compound having a mean surface area of at least about 5 m 2 /g.
• the aggregated particulates can have a surface area of at least about 70 m 2 /g, mother cases more than about 85 m 2 /g, in still other cases more than 115 m 2 /g, and in yet other cases more than about 160 m 2 /g.
• particulates with higher surface areas will be effective in the described processes, apparatuses and articles.
• the surface area of the aggregate composition will impact the fluid dynamics of the aqueous solution. As a result, there may be a need to balance benefits that are derived from increased surface area with disadvantages such as pressure drop that may occur.
• Optional components that are suitable for use in the aggregate composition can include one or more soluble rare earth-containing compounds, secondary biocidal agents, adsorbents, flow aids, binders, substrates, and the like. Such optional components may be included in the aggregate composition depending on the intended utility and/or the desired characteristics of the composition.
• Optional components can include one or more soluble rare earth-containing compounds.
• Soluble rare earth-containing compounds cart have different activities and effects.
• some soluble rare earth-containing compounds have been recognized as having a bacteriostatic or antimicrobial effect.
• soluble cerium salts such as cerium nitrates, cerous acetates, cerous sulfates, cerous halides and their derivatives, and cerous oxalates are described for use in burn treatments in U.S. Pat. No. 4,088,754, such descriptions being incorporated herein by reference.
• Other soluble rare earth-containing compounds may impart other desirable properties to the compositions and may optionally be used.
• Secondary biocidal agents can optionally be included for targeting a particular biological contaminant or for enhancing the general capacity of the aggregate composition to remove biological contaminants.
• Materials that may be suitable for use as secondary biocidal agents include compounds that are known to possess activity for removing or deactivating biological contaminants, even when such materials are present in small quantities. Such materials include but are not limited to alkali metals, alkaline earth metals, transition metals, actinides, and derivatives and mixtures thereof.
• secondary biocidal agents include elemental or compounds of silver, zinc, copper, iron, nickel, manganese, cobalt, chromium, calcium, magnesium, strontium, barium, boron, aluminum, gallium, thallium, silicon, germanium, tin, antimony, arsenic, lead, bismuth, scandium, titanium, vanadium, yttrium, zirconium, niobium, molybdenum, technetium, ruthenium, rhodium, palladium, cadmium, indium, hafnium, tantalum, tungsten, rhenium, osmium, iridium, platinum, gold, mercury, thallium, thorium, and the like.
• Derivatives of such agents can include acetates, ascorbates, benzoates, carbonates, carboxylates, citrates, halides, hydroxides, gluconates, lactates, nitrates, oxides, phosphates, propionates, salicylates, silicates, sulfates, sulfadiazines, and combinations thereof.
• the aggregate composition optionally comprises a titanium-containing compound such as a titanium oxide
• the weight ratio of the titanium-containing compound to the insoluble rare earth-containing compound is less than about 2:1.
• the insoluble rare earth-containing compound has been sintered to form the aggregate composition, the composition will contain no more than two elements selected from the group consisting of yttrium, scandium, and europium.
• the weight ratio of the aluminum-containing compound to the insoluble rare earth-containing compound is less than about 10:1.
• the aggregate composition will comprise less than about 0.01% by weight of a mixture of silver and copper metal nanoparticles.
• Other materials that may be suitable for use as secondary biocidal agents include organic agents such as quaternary ammonium salts as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,780,332, and organosilicon compounds such as are described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,865,728. Other organic materials and their derivatives that are known to deactivate biological contaminants may also be used.
• polyoxometalates are described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,723,349 as being effective at removing biological contaminants from fluids.
• the aggregate composition may optionally comprise one or more flow aids.
• Flow aids are used in part to improve the fluid dynamics of a fluid over or through the aggregate composition, to prevent separation of components of the aggregate composition, prevent the settling of fines, and in some cases to hold the aggregate composition in place.
• Suitable flow aids can include both organic and inorganic materials.
• Inorganic flow aids can include ferric sulfate, ferric chloride, ferrous sulfate, aluminum sulfate, sodium aluminate, polyaluminum chloride, aluminum trichloride, silicas, diatomaceous earth and the like.
• Organic flow aids can include organic flocculents known in the art such as polyacrylamides (cationic, nonionic, and anionic), EPI-DMA's (epichlorohydrin-dimethylamines), DADMAC's (polydiallydimethyl-ammonium chlorides), dicyandiamide/formaldehyde polymers, dicyandiamide/amine polymers, natural guar, etc.
• organic flocculents known in the art such as polyacrylamides (cationic, nonionic, and anionic), EPI-DMA's (epichlorohydrin-dimethylamines), DADMAC's (polydiallydimethyl-ammonium chlorides), dicyandiamide/formaldehyde polymers, dicyandiamide/amine polymers, natural guar, etc.
• the flow aid can be mixed with the insoluble rare earth-containing compound and polymer binder during the formation of the aggregate composition.
• the flow aid can be disposed in one or more distinct layers upstream and downstream of the aggregate composition.
• flow aids are generally used in low concentrations of less than about 20%, in some cases less than 15%, in other cases less than 10%, and in still other cases less than about 8% by weight of the aggregate composition.
• Other optional components can include various inorganic agents including ion-exchange materials such as synthetic ion exchange resins, activated carbons, zeolites (synthetic or naturally occurring), clays such as bentonite, smectite, kaolin, dolomite, montmorillinite and their derivatives, metal silicate materials and minerals such as of the phosphate and oxide classes.
• ion-exchange materials such as synthetic ion exchange resins, activated carbons, zeolites (synthetic or naturally occurring), clays such as bentonite, smectite, kaolin, dolomite, montmorillinite and their derivatives, metal silicate materials and minerals such as of the phosphate and oxide classes.
• mineral compositions containing high concentrations of calcium phosphates, aluminum silicates, iron oxides and/or manganese oxides with lower concentrations of calcium carbonates and calcium sulfates may be suitable. These materials may be calcined and processed by a
• a binder may optionally be included for forming an aggregate composition having desired size, structure, density, porosity and fluid properties.
• a substrate may be included for providing support to the aggregate composition.
• Suitable binder and substrate materials can include any material that will bind and/or support the insoluble rare earth-containing compound under conditions of use. Such materials will generally be included in the aggregate composition in amounts ranging from about 0 wt % to about 90 wt %, based upon the total, weight of the composition.
• Suitable materials can include organic and inorganic materials such as natural and synthetic polymers, ceramics, metals, carbons, minerals, and clays.
• Suitable polymer binders can include both naturally occurring and synthetic polymers, as well as synthetic modifications of naturally occurring polymers.
• polymers melting between about 50° C. and about 500° C., more particularly, between about 75° C. and about 350° C., even more particularly between about 80° C. and about 200° C. are suitable for use in aggregating the components of the composition.
• Non-limiting examples can include polyolefins that soften or melt in the range from about 85° C. to about 180° C., polyamides that soften or melt in the range from about 200° C. to about 300° C., and fluorinated polymers that soften or melt in the range from about 300° C. to about 400° C.
• polymer binders can include one or more polymers generally categorized as thermosetting, thermoplastic, elastomer, or a combination thereof as well as cellulosic polymers and glasses.
• Suitable thermosetting polymers include, but are not limited to, polyurethanes, silicones, fluorosilicones, phenolic resins, melamine resins, melamine formaldehyde, and urea formaldehyde.
• Suitable thermoplastics can include, but are not limited to, nylons and other polyamides, polyethylenes, including LDPE, LLDPE, HDPE, and polyethylene copolymers with other polyolefins, polyvinylchlorides (both plasticized and unplasticized), fluorocarbon resins, such as polytetrafluoroethylene, polystyrenes, polypropylenes, cellulosic resins, such as cellulose acetate butyrates, acrylic resins, such as polyacrylates and polymethylmethacrylates, thermoplastic blends or grafts such as acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrenes or acrylonitrile-styrenes, polycarbonates, polyvinylacetates, ethylene vinyl acetates, polyvinyl alcohols, polyoxymethylene, polyformaldehyde, polyacetals, polyesters, such as polyethylene terephthalate, polyether ether ketone, and phenol-formaldehyde resin
• Suitable elasomers can include, but are not limited to, natural and/or synthetic rubbers, like styrene-butadiene rubbers, neoprenes, nitrite rubber, butyl rubber, silicones, polyurethanes, alkylated chlorosulfonated polyethylene, polyolefins, chlorosulfonated polyethylenes, perfluoroelastomers, polychloroprene (neoprene), ethylene-propylene-diene terpolymers, chlorinated polyethylene, fluoroelastomers, and ZALAK ⁇ (Dupont-Dow elastomer).
• natural and/or synthetic rubbers like styrene-butadiene rubbers, neoprenes, nitrite rubber, butyl rubber, silicones, polyurethanes, alkylated chlorosulfonated polyethylene, polyolefins, chlorosulfonated polyethylenes, perflu
• thermoplastics listed above can also be thermosets depending upon the degree of cross-linking, and that some of each may be elastomers depending upon their mechanical properties.
• the categorization used above is for ease of understanding and should not be regarded as limiting or controlling.
• Cellulosic polymers can include naturally occurring cellulose such as cotton, paper and wood and chemical modifications of cellulose.
• the insoluble rare earth-containing compound can be mixed paper pulp or otherwise combined with paper fibers to form a paper-based filter comprising the insoluble rare earth-containing compound.
• Polymer binders can also include glass materials such as glass fibers, beads and mats. Glass solids may be mixed with particulates of an insoluble rare earth-containing compound and heated until the solids begin to soften or become tacky so that the insoluble rare earth-containing compound adheres to the glass. Similarly, extruded or spun glass fibers may be coated with particles of the insoluble rare earth-containing compound while the glass is in a molten or partially molten state or with the use of adhesives. Alternatively, the glass composition may be doped with the insoluble rare earth-containing compound during manufacture. Techniques for depositing or adhering insoluble rare earth-containing compounds to a substrate material are described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,252,694 and other references concerning glass polishing. For example. electro-deposition techniques and the use of metal adhesives are described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,319,108 as being useful in the glass polishing art. The descriptions of such techniques are incorporated herein by reference.
• water-soluble glasses such as are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,330,770, 6,143,318 and 6,881,766, may be an appropriate polymer binder.
• materials that swell through fluid absorption including but not limited to polymers such as synthetically produced polyacrylic acids, and polyacrylamides and naturally-occurring organic polymers such as cellulose derivatives may also be used.
• Biodegradable polymers such as polyethylene glycols, polylactic acids, polyvinylalcohols, co-polylactideglycolides, and the like may also be used as the polymer binder.
• Minerals and clays such as bentonite, smectite, kaolin, dolomite, montmorillinite and their derivatives may also serve as suitable binder or substrate materials.
• the selected binder or substrate material should be stable under sterilization conditions and should be otherwise compatible with the sterilization method.
• Specific non-limiting examples of polymeric binders that are suitable for sterilization methods that involve exposure to high temperatures include cellulose nitrate, polyethersulfone, nylon, polypropylene, polytetrafluoroethylene, and mixed cellulose esters. Compositions prepared with these binders can be autoclaved when the prepared according to known standards.
• the aggregate composition should be stable to steam sterilization or autoclaving as well as to chemical sterilization through contact with oxidative or reductive chemical species, as a combination of sterilization methods may be required for efficient and effective regeneration.
• the electrical potential necessary to generate said species can be attained by using the composition as one of the electrodes.
• a composition that contains a normally insulative polymeric binder can be rendered conductive through the inclusion of a sufficiently high level of conductive particles such as granular activated carbon, carbon black, or metallic particles.
• conductive particles such as granular activated carbon, carbon black, or metallic particles.
• an intrinsically conductive polymer may included in the binder material.
• Various glasses such as microporous glass beads and fibers are particularly suited for use as a substrate or binder where the composition is to be periodically regenerated.
• additives such as particle surface modification additives, coupling agents, plasticizers, fillers, expanding agents, fibers, antistatic agents, initiators, suspending agents, photo sensitizers, lubricants, wetting agents, surfactants, pigments, dyes, UV stabilizers, and suspending agents.
• particle surface modification additives such as particle surface modification additives, coupling agents, plasticizers, fillers, expanding agents, fibers, antistatic agents, initiators, suspending agents, photo sensitizers, lubricants, wetting agents, surfactants, pigments, dyes, UV stabilizers, and suspending agents.
• particle surface modification additives such as particle surface modification additives, coupling agents, plasticizers, fillers, expanding agents, fibers, antistatic agents, initiators, suspending agents, photo sensitizers, lubricants, wetting agents, surfactants, pigments, dyes, UV stabilizers, and suspending agents.
• additives may be incorporated into a binder or substrate material, applied as a separate coating, held
• the aggregate composition can be formed though one or more of extrusion, molding, calcining, sintering, compaction, the use of a binder or substrate, adhesives and/or other techniques known in the art. It should be noted that neither a binder nor a substrate Is required in order to form the aggregate composition although such components may be desired depending on the intended application.
• the composition can incorporate a polymer binder so that the resulting composition has both high surface area and a relatively open structure. Such an aggregate composition maintains elevated activity for removing or deactivating biological contaminants without imposing a substantial pressure drop on the treated solution.
• the aggregate composition In embodiments where it is desired that the aggregate composition have higher surface areas, sintering is a less desirable technique for forming the aggregate composition.
• the insoluble rare earth-containing compound When the insoluble rare earth-containing compound has been sintered to form the aggregate composition, the composition will contain no more than two elements selected from the group consisting of yttrium, scandium, and europium.
• the aggregate composition can be produced by combining an insoluble tare earth-containing compound or a calcined aggregate of an insoluble rare earth-containing compound with a binder or substrate such as a polyolefin, cellulose acetate, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene, PTFE, a microporous glass or the like.
• a binder or substrate such as a polyolefin, cellulose acetate, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene, PTFE, a microporous glass or the like.
• the insoluble rare earth-containing compound preferably in the form of a high surface area particulate, is mixed with the solid binder material.
• the mixture is then heated to a temperature, such as the glass transition temperature of the binder material, at which the solid binder material softens or becomes tacky.
• the mixture may be heated at elevated pressure(s).
• the mixture is then allowed to cool so that mixture forms an aggregate with the insoluble rare earth
• the glass solids may be intimately mixed with particulates of an insoluble rare earth-containing compound and heated until the glass begins to soften or become tacky so that the insoluble rare earth-containing adheres to the glass upon cooling.
• the glass composition may be doped with the insoluble rare earth-containing compound during manufacture of the glass solids.
• the components, physical dimensions and shape of the aggregate composition may be manipulated for different applications and that variations in these variables can alter flow rates, back-pressure, and the capacity of the composition to remove or deactivate biological contaminants.
• the size, form and shape of the aggregate composition can vary considerably depending on the method of use.
• the aggregate composition may have relatively open structure, with channels or pores that provide a high degree of fluid permeability and/or low density.
• the aggregate composition can comprise aggregated particulates in granule, bead, powder, fiber or similar form.
• Such aggregated particulates can have a mean aggregate size of at least about 1 ⁇ m, specifically at least about 5 ⁇ m, more specifically at least about 10 ⁇ m, and still more specifically at least about 25 ⁇ m.
• the aggregate will have a mean aggregate size of at least about 0.1 mm, specifically at least about 0.5 mm, more specifically at least about 1 mm, still more specifically at least about 2 mm, and yet still more specifically more than 5.0 mm.
• the aggregate composition can be crushed, chopped or milled and then sieved to obtain me desired particle size.
• Such aggregated particulates can be used in fixed or fluidized beds or reactors, stirred reactors or tanks, distributed in particulate filters, encapsulated or enclosed within membranes, mesh, screens, filters or other fluid permeable structures, deposited on filter substrates, and may further be formed into a desired shape such as a sheet, film, mat or monolith for various applications.
• the aggregate composition can be incorporated into or coated onto a substrate.
• Suitable substrates can be formed from materials such as sintered ceramics, sintered metals, microporous carbon, glass and cellulosic fibers such as cotton, paper and wood.
• the structure of the substrate will vary depending upon the application but can include woven and non-wovens in the form of a porous membrane, filter or other fluid permeable structure.
• Substrates can also include porous and fluid permeable solids having a desired shape and physical dimensions.
• Such substrates can include mesh, screens, tubes, honeycombed structures, monoliths and blocks of various shapes including cylinders and toroids.
• the aggregate composition and can be incorporated into or coated onto a filter block or monolith for use in cross-flow type filter.
• the aggregate composition is used to treat an aqueous solution containing a biological contaminant by contacting the solution with the composition.
• Contact between the solution and the composition can be achieved by flowing the solution through the composition or by adding the composition to the solution, with or without mixing or agitation, if the aqueous solution is to be treated with air, oxygen-enriched air, ozone or hydrogen peroxide for the purpose of wet oxidizing fungi, viruses or other biological contaminants in the solution, then the aqueous solution is contacted with the aggregate composition prior to any such treatment with air, oxygen-enriched air, ozone or hydrogen peroxide.
• Contact with the aggregate composition is sufficient to remove or deactivate biological contaminants in the solution and the treatment of the aqueous solution with ozone or other agents for the purpose of wet oxidizing contaminants in solution is purely optional in nature.
• the aggregate composition is distributed over the surface of a solution and allowed to settle through the solution under the influence of gravity.
• Such an application is particularly useful for reducing biological contaminants in solutions found in evaporation tanks, municipal water treatment systems, fountains, ponds, lakes and other natural or man-made bodies of water.
• the aggregate composition can be introduced into the flow: of the aqueous solution such as through a conduit, pipe or the like. Where it is desirable to separate the treated solution from the composition, the aggregate composition is introduced into the solution upstream of a filter where the composition can be separated and recovered from the solution.
• a particular example of such an embodiment can be found in a municipal water treatment operations where the composition is injected into the water treatment system upstream of a particulate filter bed.
• the aggregate composition can be disposed in a container and the solution directed to flow through the composition.
• the aqueous solution can flow through the-composition under the influence of gravity, pressure or other means and with or without agitation or mixing
• the container can comprise a fluid permeable outer wall encapsulating the aggregate composition so that the solution has multiple flow paths through the composition when submerged.
• Various fittings, connections, pumps, valves, manifolds and the like can be used to control the flow of the solution through the composition in a given container.
• the aqueous solution contacts the aggregate composition at a temperature above the triple point for the solution. In some cases, the solution contacts the composition at a temperature less than about 100° C. and In other cases, contact occurs at a temperature above about 100° C., but at a pressure sufficient to maintain at least a portion of the aqueous solution in a liquid phase.
• the composition is effective at removing and deactivating biological contaminants at room temperatures. In other cases, the aqueous solution contacts the composition under supercritical conditions of temperature and pressure for the aqueous solution.
• the pressure at which the aqueous solution contacts the aggregate composition can vary considerably depending on the application. For smaller volume applications where the contact is to occur within a smaller diameter column at a flow rates less than about 1.5 gpm, the pressure can range from 0 up to about 60 psig. In applications where larger containers and higher flow rates are employed, higher pressures may be required.
• the aggregate composition may contain active and deactivated biological contaminants. As a result, it may be advantageous to sterilize the composition before re-use or disposal. Moreover, it may be desirable to sterilize the composition prior to contacting the aqueous solution to remove any contaminants that may be present before use.
• Sterilization processes can include thermal processes wherein the composition is exposed to elevated temperatures or pressures or both, radiation sterilization wherein the composition is subjected to elevated radiation levels, including processes using ultraviolet, infrared, microwave, and ionizing radiation, and chemical sterilization, wherein the composition is exposed to elevated levels of oxidants or reductants or other chemical species.
• Chemical species that may be used in chemical sterilization can include halogens, reactive oxygen species, formaldehyde, surfactants, metals and gases such as ethylene oxide, methyl bromide, beta-propiolactone, and propylene oxide. Combinations of these processes can also be used and it should further be recognized that such sterilization processes may be used on a sporadic or continuous basis while the composition is in use.
• the process can optionally include the step of sensing the solution depleted of active biological contaminants so as to determine or calculate when it is appropriate to replace the composition.
• Sensing of the solution can be achieved through conventional means such as tagging and detecting the contaminants in the aqueous solution using fluorescent or radioactive materials, measuring flow rates, temperatures, pressures, sensing for the presence of fines, and sampling and Conducting arrays. Techniques used in serology testing or analysis may also be suitable for sensing the solution depleted of active biological contaminants.
• the process can optionally include separating the solution depleted of active biological contaminants from the composition.
• the composition can be separated from the solution by conventional liquid-solid separation techniques including, but not limited to, the use of filters, membranes, settling tanks, centrifuges, cyclones or the like.
• the separated solution depleted of active biological contaminants can then be directed to further processing, storage or use.
• the invention is directed to an apparatus for treating an aqueous solution containing a biological contaminant.
• the apparatus comprises a container having a fluid flow path and an aggregate composition as described herein disposed in the fluid flow path.
• the aggregate composition comprises more than 10.01% by weight of the insoluble rare earth-containing compound and comprises no more than two elements selected from the group consisting of yttrium, scandium, and europium when the aggregate composition is sintered. Details of the aggregate composition are described elsewhere herein and are not repeated here.
• the container can take a variety of forms including columns, various tanks and reactors, filters, filter beds, drums, cartridges, fluid permeable containers and the like.
• the container will include one or more of a fixed bed, a fluidized bed, a stirred tank or reactor, or filter, within which the aqueous solution will contact the composition.
• the container can have a single pass through design with a designated fluid inlet and fluid outlet or can have fluid permeable outer wall enclosing or encapsulating the aggregate composition.
• the fluid permeable outer wall can be made from woven or non-woven fabric of various water-insoluble materials so that the aqueous solution has multiple flow paths through the composition when submerged.
• the container can be manufactured from metals, plastics such as PVC or acrylic, or other insoluble materials that will maintain a desired shape under conditions of use.
• the aqueous solution can flow through the composition and container under the influence of gravity, pressure or other means, with or without agitation or mixing.
• Various fittings, connections, pumps, valves, manifolds and the like can be used to control the flow of the solution into the container and through the composition.
• the container can be adapted to be inserted into and removed from an apparatus or process stream to facilitate use and replacement of the composition.
• a container can have an inlet and outlet that are adapted to be sealed when removed from the apparatus or when otherwise not in use to enable the safe handling, transport and storage of the container and composition.
• the composition and container may be removed and sterilized as a unit, without the need to remove the composition from the container.
• such a container may also be constructed to provide long term storage or to serve as a disposal unit for biological contaminants removed from the solution.
• the apparatus can include a filter for separating the treated solution from the composition.
• the filter can encapsulate the aggregate composition or be disposed downstream of the composition.
• the filter can be a feature of the container for preventing the composition from flowing out of the container or be a feature of the apparatus disposed downstream of the container, the filter can include woven and non-woven fabrics, mesh, as well as fibers or particulates that are disposed in a mat, bed or layer that provides a fluid permeable barrier to the aggregate composition.
• a suitable filter can will include a layer of diatomaceous earth disposed downstream of the composition within the container.
• the apparatus may also optionally include one or more of a visual indicator for indicating when the composition should be replaced or regenerated, a sensor for sensing an effluent flowing out of the container, and means for sterilizing the composition.
• Means for sterilizing the composition can include one or more of means for heating the composition, means for irradiating the composition and means for introducing a chemical oxidation agent into the fluid flow path, such as are known in the art.
• the invention provides an article comprising a container having one or more walls defining an interior space and a flowable aggregate composition disposed in the interior space.
• the flowable aggregate composition comprises more than 10.01% by weight of an insoluble rare earth-containing compound and comprises no more than two elements selected from the group consisting of yttrium, scandium, and europium when the aggregate has been sintered.
• the container bears instructions for use of the aggregate composition to treat an aqueous solution containing a biological contaminant.
• the container is a bag or other bulk product package in which the flowable aggregate composition may be marketed or sold to retailers, distributors or end use consumers.
• Such containers can take a variety of sizes, shapes, and forms, but are typically made from plastics or various fabrics.
• the container bears an instruction indicating that the contents of the container can be effectively used to treat aqueous solutions containing a biological contaminant for the purpose of removing or deactivating such a contaminant in the solution.
• the CeO 2 bed treated with the MS-2 containing solution was upflushed.
• a solution of about 600 ml of de-chlorinated water and 2.0 ⁇ 10 6 /ml of Klebsiella terrgena was prepared and directed through the column at flow rates of 10 ml/min, 40 ml/min and 80 ml/min.
• the Klebsiella was quantified using the Idexx Quantitray and allowing incubation for more than 24 hrs. at 37° C.
• the CeC 2 bed previously challenged with MS-2 and Klebsiella terrgena was then challenged with a second challenge of MS-2 at increased flow rates.
• a solution of about 1000 ml de-chlorinated water aid 2.2 ⁇ 10 5 /ml of MS-2 was prepared and directed through the bed at flow rates of 80 ml/min, 120 ml/min and 200 ml/min.
• Serial dilutions and plating were performed within 5 minutes of sampling using the double agar layer method with E. Coli host and allowed to incubate for 24 hrs at 37° C.

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